Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-24
SeasOnable Poultry Hints.
Rural New Yorker.


During the lull of work after haying,
harvesting grain and fighting the weeds,
a little time should now be given to the
poultry. Taking it for granted there are
some on the farm, as there should be on
every we'll managed one, especially where
there is family to take charge of the
minor duties of gathering eggs, caring
for the chicks, feeding, ETC., one of the
first things that requires attention is the
debris left around after the chicks are
old enough to leave the coop to roost.
All the coops, boards, cups, etc., should
be gathered up and slowed away for an
other season, and during rainy day they
might be repaired and put in order for
next spring. as there is a great rush of
farm ] work then when chicks are hatch
ing. At this time, after hens have been
sitting about the building, unless unusual
care is taken there is generally more or
less vermin infesting the old nest boxes,
perches, etc. The whitewash brush will
do good work now, but if the time eau
not be spared TO do the work thorough
yet the nest boxes should be attended
TO now, and the kerosene and carbCllc
acid should be applied with an old paint
brush to the perches and other suspected
places, but particularly under the sides of
the perches.
Now for the stock: To insure a good,
large strong bird, selections should be
made from the growing chickens, and the
most forward, vigorous birds should be
selected to keep. Too often this is neg
lected, or the finest birds are killed and
marketed, and only the runts are left to
stock the poultry yard. The earliest lay
ing pullets should be kept and also chick
ems from the best laying hens of the past
season, if there are any means of identi-
flying them. This is generally done by
observing people who attend to them.
Early pullets make the best layers during
the coming fall and winter, for if the
fowls do not arrive at mature size before
cold weather sets in, they generally sus-
pend growth and also usefulness till
spring, causing considerable expense to
carry them through the winter. Another
| important duty is to clean out all old and
| worn out stock. This often prevents
sickness and leaves more room for the
young birds, for there is no stock more
un Improbable than a lot of old, useless
hens on farm. These can generally be
marketed before the great rush of young
poultry on the markets. 1t is also good
time TO select the male birds for another
season. Good young birds of most varie-
ties may be bought much cheaper now
than after the breeder has sold all his
surplus cockerels. One thing can be
depended upon-there is nothing like
pure-bred males for putting new life and
value into the stock. AT this season of
the year nocturnal vermin. minks, skunks
and weasels-are on the lookout for poui-
try, and if within their reach they play
hovoc with the flock. All the corners of
the sheds and hiding places under logs or
other lumber about the premises should
be looked into to see that the young
stock do not hide there at night. Low
perches should be provided to tempt
them to roost, especially is they are of
the heavier breeds.